A study published in F1000Research found that medical marijuana use was associated with significantly longer survival among patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer.
Researchers from Universitas Negeri Semarang and Mahasarakham University conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 491 newly diagnosed CCA patients between September 2019 and June 2021. Of these, 404 received standard palliative pain management, while 87 also received medical marijuana as part of their treatment. Patients were treated across six hospitals in five provinces of Northeastern Thailand.
The results revealed a striking difference in outcomes. Patients receiving standard care survived a median of just 0.83 months after enrolling in palliative care, while those who received medical marijuana lived a median of 5.66 months. After adjusting for confounding factors, the cannabis-treated group had a 72% lower risk of death.
The researchers concluded that medical marijuana was significantly associated with prolonged survival among advanced CCA patients. They note, however, that unmeasured factors could have influenced the findings and emphasize the need for further prospective studies to confirm the results and better understand how medical marijuana may support patients with advanced cancer.
Researchers conclude by stating:
The medical cannabis increased overall survival rates among CCA patients. In this retrospective cohort, Medicinal cannabis treatment was associated with more prolonged survival among advanced CCA patients in Northeastern Thailand. While this association remained significant after multivariable adjustment, unmeasured or residual confounding factors may have influenced the observed outcomes. Although the association remained significant after adjustment, unmeasured or residual confounders may have influenced outcomes. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings and explore potential mechanisms.
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